The Effectiveness of Academic Interest Scales in Predicting College Achievement.

Johnson, Richard W.

The predictive validities of various SVIB academic interest scales were assessed with first semester freshman males at the University of Massachusetts. Both the Rust and Ryan and the Campbell and Johansson scales contributed significantly, albeit modestly, to a multiple correlation coefficient consisting of high school rank and scholastic aptitude test results in predicting academic performance. A single-item self-evaluation rating scale failed to predict grade point average significantly. Although the degree of relationship between the interest scales and grade record tended to be somewhat greater for the "marginal" students, the ratings were not significantly different from those obtained with the more able students. The use of modified, "placement" instructions did not greatly affect the mean scores or the magnitude of the correlations. Recommendations for future research were made. (Author)